A ham radio tower is installed near the football field during the annual ARRL Field Day at North Fort Myers Community Park. FILE

The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club invites community leadership, homeowners associations, and the general public to witness a demonstration of vital emergency communications during Winter Field Day 2026. This special event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24 and 25, at the North Fort Myers Community Park, located at 2000 Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers.

Winter Field Day is more than just a hobbyist gathering; it is a critical emergency communications exercise. At its heart, the event is about sharpening the ability to stay on the air during the unique ‘curveballs’ of a Florida winter. While we may not face snow, our operators must contend with rapid humidity shifts, coastal salt air interference, and the sudden, intense weather fronts that can move across the peninsula. These conditions provide the perfect environment to test equipment resilience and prove that we can maintain a lifeline for the community regardless of what Mother Nature sends our way.

Event highlights for the public

The primary purpose of Field Day is to test the ability of “ham” radio operators to quickly deploy and operate in emergencies, such as natural disasters that disrupt regular communication channels.

Visitors to the North Fort Myers Community Park will have the opportunity to:

• See Rapid Deployment: Watch as operators set up field stations, including complex antennas and equipment, in a temporary environment.

• Experience Global Connectivity: Observe live worldwide contacts being made through Morse code, digital signals, and voice.

• Get Hands-On: The public is invited to pick up the microphone and make contacts themselves to experience the thrill of radio.

• Learn Self-Sufficiency: Discover how hams operate 100% on alternative power sources, such as batteries, solar, and generators, ensuring communication remains active even if the power grid fails.

Why it matters to community leaders and HOAs

In an era where digital infrastructure is vulnerable to storms and cyber threats, amateur radio remains the “last means of communication when all else fails”. Local leadership and HOA representatives are encouraged to attend to see how these skilled operators can provide a lifeline for the Fort Myers community during real-world emergencies.

Event schedule

• Saturday, Jan. 24: Operations begin at 11 a.m. EST (1600 UTC).

• Sunday, Jan. 25: Operations continue through 1 p.m. EST (1800 UTC).

The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club is proud to participate in this national “Operating Event” to prove that no matter what Mother Nature sends our way, we can stay on the air.

Established in 1957, the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, Inc. has been dedicated to fostering camaraderie among individuals with a shared passion for Amateur Radio. With a commitment to facilitating the exchange of information, promoting electronics and amateur radio knowledge, advocating for good radio operating practices, and advancing the art of Amateur Radio, the club strives to create a vibrant community. Additionally, the club actively sponsors and promotes various activities related to amateur radio, provides crucial public service during emergencies and actively engages in other community initiatives. FMARC is affiliated with and sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, which is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information, and resources.

For more information about the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, please visit

fmarc.net, fieldday@fmarc.net, or Winter Field Day at winterfieldday.org.